The return of the Chopper: Raleigh announces iconic 1970s bike will return

Raleigh has announced the relaunch of the Chopper - a bike that defined the 70s.
With original MK2 Choppers still selling for a fortune at auctions, the Nottinghamshire company's Raleigh Chopper relaunch has been announced today.
After four years of meticulous research and product development, Raleigh is ready to deliver.
The two-wheeled classic will hit the market, in the two original colours, Ultraviolet and Infrared, with a price tag of £950.
It will be available to purchase online from Raleigh on Tuesday, June 20, at 12pm.
Lee Kidger, managing director at Raleigh, said: "The Raleigh Chopper is the most iconic bike Raleigh has ever made, arguably the most iconic bike in British history.
"Selling millions of units worldwide during the 70s; the Chopper cemented its place in British culture and to this day evokes a feeling of nostalgia for the era.
"The original bikes cost around £35. Bringing the bike into 2023 has legally required a few minor tweaks, but the new Chopper is as close to the original as possible. Fans will still find the one-piece saddle, mid-frame gear shifter, and a slightly lowered sissy bar.

[@martinhambleton5076]

I bought one myself. I saved and saved. When I had enough money, I walked 5 miles into town and parted with 35 very hard earned pounds, went to Currys, and rode it home. A few weeks later, the side stand broke off from the frame. I cycled back to Currys in panic. They were very good about it, changing the bike for me on the spot. I absolutely loved it, and it was always immaculate with car polish and solvol autosol on the chrome.

[@streetlife8461]

I had one and took it to school to take my cycling proficiency training on it. I remember the police officer who was doing the training, say to me that they didn’t like the Chopper as they didn’t consider it safe, as you could end up going through the handlebars if you braked hard. I still passed the cycling proficiency as we all did lol

[@tilerman]

When i clicked on this i was wondering how long before H&S got mentioned. Didn't disappoint.

[@pc3983]

I had one in 1976 and loved it. I did my paper round on it and used it till I started work in 1980. Great fun👍

[@metalmick]

A mate of mine had the mk1 in about 1969/70. The handlebars could be angled back towards the rider, the seat was longer, it had a gear knob, not a t bar gear changer and the upright between the rear wheel hub the seat didn't have a kink in it. Yes, I am sad for remembering all this!

[@HouseMartin]

.. and it weighed twice as much as the mk2 making it very hard to keep up with your mates!

[@Cupat1]

No you're not sad I remember it too, I guy in my street had the mk1 I too still remember all the parts you say. I had the purple mk2 with the fixed bars and shorter seat, ah memories and bloody good ones 😊

[@Bob-ts2tu]

I have the same memories lol, so must make me sad as well. I remember the kid in our street wouldn't let anyone have a go on it, so i never rode one !!

[@deadfishboy]

Lend us a grand please! I rode mine down Ravensworth Road Bulwell one 80's summers day, not paying attention and ran into the back of an Austin Princess! Over the bars, over the vinyl roof, bonnet and back onto me feet! Good old Chop was firmly wedged upright under the back bumper! Absolute class! 🤣🤣

[@ShaamoneHeeHee]

My brother had a yellow one and I had the purple one in the 70's. Full CHiPs front fairing, and CB aerial with flag on the back. Very 7 year old 70's cool 😂

[@wakinguptothetruth.2566]

I had a red MK2 chopper,got it for Xmas when I was 10 in 76, I loved it so much,still the best Xmas present I have ever got, my mum and my 2 sisters,clubbed together to buy me it, I got new grips,front and rear light,the summers where great with my friends,one of my friends had a chopper bike,one had a grifter,so much fun,happy days. I wish they would make an adult size one,with pedal assist,I would buy one in a heartbeat! I have a mountain bike now,still love going out on my bike especially in the summer.

[@Karl_Burton]

I could never understand why a company hadn't made an adult sized one. And not for £950.

[@jfro5867]

Yea I was thinking just the same. I’m 54, if it was adult size I’d buy one today and ride it this afternoon.

[@Karl_Burton]

@@jfro5867 Same, but 56. Love one, but don't want to lean down onto the handlebars

[@Bob-ts2tu]

you would like an adult sized chopper? give your head a shake m8 lol.

[@Karl_Burton]

@@Bob-ts2tu No

[@stevezodiac491]

​​​@@Bob-ts2tuI've got an adult sized chopper, the wife thinks it is astounding ! Bought a normal one on line as well and a 70's height sissy bar and I love that ! - 64 year old boomer.😊

[@derekcoe9633]

Passed my Cycling Proficiency Test on a red Chopper back in 1976 😊

[@Mr.Wrong1]

I had a red Tomahawk first which was essentially a mini Chopper without the gears and then got the purple Chopper when I got a bit bigger. Fantastic bikes. Fantastic memories. Not sure what the bloke is on about near the end though. Changing gears and steering one handed was absolutely no bother at all. All the hedges near us were completely free of morons not able to ride a bike properly.

[@follyfour506]

I had a Chipper and my sister had a Budgie.

[@richy69ify]

He actually called the bike "The Raleigh" 🤷🏼‍♂

[@maxthelab8457]

I had an identical purple one for Christmas as a kid - it cost my mum a whole weeks wages!

[@julianmorris9951]

I wish they’d let kids be kids today instead of making them afraid of their f**king shadows 🙄

[@j.dmetalhead7517]

I always wanted a Chopper as a kid

[@jimmorrison3756]

Used to have two Choppers and Two Grifters great bikes in the 80's these wonderful memories seeing this bike again 👌

[@doctorsocrates4413]

One called the striker as well and then there was the budgie which was similar to the chopper.

[@follyfour506]

​@@doctorsocrates4413 Don't forget the Chipper and Boxer and the Commando.

[@doctorsocrates4413]

@@follyfour506 i just stuck with the chopper lol

[@billienomates1606]

Now bring out a uk legal e-bike chopper and you might sell a few more. I would certainly buy one. Although I might actually just put a kit on one. £950 is having a laugh though.

[@flatspider]

100% e chopper … big in the north

[@Karl_Burton]

It needs to be adult sized. And not £950 fucking quid

[@marineboy1964]

I had a mark 1 in sky blue with the long seat and the round gear knob with 3 R's on top I was on that bike for most of the 70s

[@ps1834]

I've still got 1 from 1976 red.i still ride it on canal towpath.

[@leehambleton9919]

I had one of these when I was a lad also had a Griftder watching this brings back a lot of memories

[@elledurnan]

Screw health and safety … get this bike made and for sale at £100 a bike. It was affordable for working class families then and should be now. Brilliant bike. Great to modify as a kid : same comments for the Grifter, although lighter would be cool. Mr Clipboard piss off and let fun be fun!!!

[@Karl_Burton]

Adult sized one. £950 - they're having a laugh.

[@petermitchell421]

Listening to these moaners what a shame the film makers didn’t interview the proper Chopper fans who will buy in droves. I had one and rode it with no problems. Lovely bike.

[@johnross2924]

Never came off mine as a kid, I share your fond memories.

[@jfro5867]

Yea , that bike shop guy was a bit ‘wet’ wasn’t he…..come on man grow a pair

[@SlackHoffman]

I had a purple Raleigh Chopper 1977

[@Omegaspeedmaster69]

I had one of these in the 70s,but mine was 5 gears. I sprayed it silver in the early 80s because purple was no longer in fashion and silver was futuristic.😩

[@peterdudgon3830]

i had red 3 speed mate had 5 gear wanted one

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

Good to see they have retained the gearstick and long seat, better than the horrid MK3 Chopper they released a while back. Bought a project MK2 1977 Chopper about 13 years ago for £175, restored it and sold it in 2020 for £800, tried it round the block a few times rode fine but TBH I felt (and probably looked) like a prat (I'm 52), enjoyed restoring it but it had to go. Liked how the original colors had names like Ultra Violet (Purple) and Fizzy Lemon (Yellow) very 70's.

[@glenbooth7903]

Dammmm I miss mine and I'm 60 😂😂 had twin tank aerials on the hoops blue fur on the angle bars 😂😂 in red as well

[@dickyboyryw]

Wow.. Lol.. So many fun memories of the late 1970s early 80s. Brilliant idea!!!!!!

[@alfinpogform4774]

Would have bought one in a flash, just for display purposes, because I really wanted one as a kid but didn't get one. But that price? Well not a chance, but would be happy to pay a third of that.

[@tomf4547]

You can find classic ones for £500

[@Toby_the_Glen]

The original version had the handlebars you could drop down low, this later version they were fixed upright.

[@taxidude]

Going to sound a bit bitter and resentful here but I had 2 older sisters who always seemed to get whatever they wanted all year round. My birthday was in December and I was always told I'd get an extra big Christmas present which never really transpired until........... Mum got me a mk1 chopper and I felt so special.......... until my sister borrowed it some months later and lent it to a friend who fell off it bending the handlebars. It was never the same again. Odd how childhood memories can still make me angry. ;)

[@Karl_Burton]

Perfectly normal.

[@kwai6825]

Loved this bike was my first in late 70

[@joesmith1926]

I had a red one passed down from my uncle which my dad and I gave a mean black paint job. That gear change was known as the “nut shredder”, can’t believe no one has mentioned that 😂

[@phils2180]

That was the reason the shifter was moved to the handlebars. My neighbour bruised his plums a few times on his, nearly always when carrying a passenger which I don't think they were designed for! Strange that they've brought the stick shift back for the new model.

[@joesmith1926]

@@phils2180 there was a white plastic label with writing saying passengers prohibited, or something along those lines, in the crook of the L shaped seat. Everyone did it though. It was actually comfier for the passenger to face backwards!

[@B-A-L]

I didn't even know Raleigh still existed! I personally hated the Chopper but then the BMX came along and made it look alright!

[@rachealstinnett5829]

Very good job 👍👍 beautiful bike

[@milleniumfalcon8654]

When I was at primary School i brought a chopper off my classmate for $60 for me & my 2 brothers,we were allocated days to ride & key to padlock,one morning I awoke to my brothers yahooing & having fun riding the chopper,they had tied a string to hold padlock on chain enabling them to ride it,I yelled Dad! Hahaha

[@deanbaza8581]

They weren't all that, crap to jump & wheelie, I was there, I know 🤣

[@robertmaccallum8390]

Well said ..... dreadful bike.

[@McConnachy]

I loved the Chopper, but my parents couldn’t afford it, I got old 2nd hand bikes, that I saved for by picking tatties

[@philipatkinson7039]

Same here pal and back breaking for a kid. Kid's these day's wouldn't have a clue about grafting as a kid and also digging coal out of the railway embankment during the miner's strike 🙄

[@timmortimer6267]

I loved the people you interviewed- well found

[@club_rock]

THEY MAKE IT AGAIN ? THIS BIKE IS ICONIC 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@neilhamilton2621]

Look spot on really

[@doctorsocrates4413]

My childhood in the 1970s would of been so incomplete without the chopper bicycle..it is a true icon of the 70s..

[@phils2180]

........and what about a Spacehopper?😂

[@phils2180]

Back in the early 70's I had a 5 speed BSA Sportsman racer and lusted after a Chopper until a neighbour got one and I had a ride on it. It was good fun for short runs and general hoooning around and a bit of a novelty but rubbish for "serious riding". After that I really appreciated the BSA.👍

[@halcyon289]

Yes indeed.

[@whu58]

I had the Mk1 3 gear model (Orange colour) in about 1973 (great memories), its a shame that Raleigh never completely re-designed a new one for todays market with electric assist for adults that was more practical.

[@tomf4547]

Blimey, I paid £500 for a classic 1974. Just like the one I had aged 12 🥰

[@johnleighdesigns]

Awesome I had one for some years back in the 1970s!

[@johnobrien8398]

I had one of these in the 1970s it was great fun to ride

[@lahtal1]

My what a big chopper you have 😍

[@originalsusser]

I had a metallic blue & silver decaled one as a 12yo in the mid 70s. I gave it to a mates boy in mid 80s who stripped it down & turned it into the coolest BMX

[@johnnyjumpup859]

The Raleigh ultra burner black gold from 82 is pretty cool... but silver blue ultra burner from 82;..is the all time classic for me ...

[@algernonwolfwhistle6351]

I had a lovely, blue Mk1.

[@paultowns9880]

I had an orange MK1. I wheelied that bike every where. Happy memories!

[@turbogigwoof2321]

To the boys that get one of these. Do you know what a cricket box is ..? Get one!

[@yensabi]

I've still got mine some 50 years old it is now but it's in mint condition , I'll have to put the feelers out to find out what it could be worth , several grand I think... 👍

[@JONINXBOX]

I worked in a bike shop in the 90’s & 00’s and they brought the chopper back about 15 years ago.. they changed the gear changer from the middle to a regular one on the handle..

[@camptube7621]

I had an electric blue one. Loved it.

[@markeone]

These bikes were heavier than lead... I don't know what they made them from, but warnings to future generations. Don't try and lift it, or jump it.

[@craigkearns6425]

I had a blue mk1 back in the ‘70s, I loved it, great for performing wheelies but incredibly heavy bikes. I’m way too tall now but if they made an upscaled lightweight version I’d probably buy one.

[@richy69ify]

I don't remember them being heavy, the Grifter was though.

[@MrSongwriter2]

I’d love an electric grifter xl

[@redmille1000]

I had a Grifter, the last time I saw it it was being used as an anchor for the QE2!

[@martinmouncher9825]

I'm now 55 and my first and only Chopper was back in 1982.... Loved it.

[@curranhouse]

Everyone has a story about - yeah it goes like this.. I slipped off and smashed my nuts on the gearstick....😂😂😂

[@terrybarton8388]

Great to here they’re still in Nottingham! I thought I’d read somewhere a few years ago they’d sold out and moved production to the far east?…..

[@Timemachine74]

They did it’s just offices and a warehouse in Nottingham the bikes are made in china 🥴

[@jonboylanx]

I want to see somebody enter the Tour de France on one.

[@PeterSmith-ls7ut]

Might struggle in the mountains

[@anthonyclarke5579]

My brother and I both had one, mine was yellow and his was green. It had a black knob for changing the three speed gears. You had to unscrew the gear knob or else it would get nicked at school. I think they cost around the £40-45 price (each). They weighed a ton, looked great and were bloody useless to race and steer. Not a death trap but certainly going that way. Happy days.

[@duckman5642]

950 😂 Paid £5 for my last one.

[@kjm-ch7jc]

What percentage of it will be Chynese. ?

[@stumpusMaximus]

I remember my mate about 1977 riding downhill ahead of me in my Sturmey Archer coool normal bike with chain guard, no oil on my flares! And he got the wobble of death on the front wheel. Went right through it and landed on the handlebars, we thought he had broken his ribs but instead badly bruised them - those handlebars today are like cow/deer horns!

[@sidecarbod1441]

They looked cool but they would go into a massive 'tank slapper' if you went too fast.

[@MyKharli]

I fitted ape hangers to an ordinary bike , nice upright riding position now for my old back and no weight on my dodgy wrists . 950 is price gouging , i bet there 50 in bulk from China .

[@UKPete]

Used to get a speed wobble very dangerous!. Loved it though till it was stolen outside the ABC in Ealing!. I thought the Dutch owned Raleigh now?.

[@swskating3865]

A local kid had a sky blue 5-speed chopper.. I never had one tho 😔

[@steventhomas9461]

My sister had the Raleigh Striker which was smaller than the Grifter, i never had the Chopper i had the WoolWorths version which was similar but the rear reflector wasn't square they were 2 round reflectors on stalks that looked like rockets.

[@AndyPass1976]

I had a Striker! One day I left it outside the front of my house and someone knicked it.

[@mikegraham8319]

Don't forget there was also the Budgie! 😂

[@garethjudd5840]

I'm guessing that the number one customer will be 50 year old men.

[@truthseeker8483]

60 year old....

[@Karl_Burton]

@@truthseeker8483 Somewhere in between. They'd sell if they made it adult sized, and not at £950 a pop. This version will tank

[@truthseeker8483]

@@Karl_Burton I don't know plenty have fond memories of them and have the money to buy one 🙂

[@Karl_Burton]

@@truthseeker8483 For sure, but you don't want the seat set at the highest level, with the handle bars too low. You want an adult sized one.

[@stevezodiac491]

​​​​@@truthseeker848364 year old mk 4 ultra violet Chopper satisfied boomer owner here. It was cheap really compared to my Trek Speed Concept, Cannondale system six dura ace and my Cannondale super six evo sram red at less than a fifth of the price of each of those bikes amongst others I own, none of which give me the nostalgia of my childhood, like a Raleigh Chopper. I will use it from my caravan, I bet it will be a massive conversation piece and great fun on camp sites and sea fronts etc.

[@hardlines2635]

I had the very same one, purple, paid £58, went to school on it once, it got that much attention I didn’t go on it again. Sometimes it would just stop for no reason, the front wheel just locked up, came off it at least once a week. Great days.

[@tomf4547]

Purple was very exclusive mine was red. Almost 50 years later I bought a black one, it's purple under the black paint 😅

[@kyle8952]

Front wheel locking up meant you had the wheel in the wrong way around. Yes, really, Raleigh front wheels had a left and a right. One side was adjustable to tighten up the bearings and the other stayed still. If you put it in the right way around, the fork pressed down to stop it from unscrewing, but if it's in the wrong way around, nothing stops it from screwing on tighter until it seizes solid! It was a dangerous design because anyone could make that mistake, but it saved two washers and two extra nuts on each bike. Penny pinching!

[@csedan510]

The P.R.'s mugged me for mine in Brooklyn, 1974. A sad day.

[@jamesmacleod671]

The chopper and the grifter were the bikes to own back in the day but my parents bought me a racer (peugeot) which I didn't mind, you could travel a lot further for little effort.

[@krazytroutcatcher]

Wasn’t the Chopper reintroduced around 8-10 years ago? I remember looking at one, and the quality was dire.

[@cliffordelbourne4995]

I want, I want, I want😮😊

[@keithjohnson7677]

I love my bike. 950 pound two much.

[@andyetheridge]

Smaller version i think was called the Chipper, my brother had one. I think another bike was a Tomahawk?

[@miclovin9927]

It was a very cool bike

[@crosseyedone7960]

Niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. There will be those cashed up enough to buy one to hang on the wall. As for me, I'll continue to dream.

[@fasthracing]

I had the Sprint version. Quite rare I believe.

[@lifeonmars99]

Raleigh Chopper MK2, Yamaha FS1E, hospital. Coming of age story, similar for many I suspect.

[@user-wj8qw5on7j]

We looking for the chopper in South Africa.

[@jonbeels8969]

The gear change leaver is the same as the tracker I had chopper copy

[@daveoneill8235]

Had the purple 5 speed Cracking bike. Mate had a grifter blue. Put 5 speed wheel in the back. Gear changer under the seat Happy days😂

[@stuartr2764]

Yeah I’ve got a story about the Chopper - I didn’t have one! My cousin did though, the jammy git😊😊

[@wakeywarrior]

This will sell well to Bearded trendies in the East End.

[@bobherbert4365]

Well spoken guests. England, charming?

[@stevezodiac491]

It would seem that the chopper mark 4 is going to be more popular than this commentator thought. 2000 choppers sold on line from Raleigh after about one hour of the sale opening. Just after 1.00 p.m. all gone.

[@speedbird737]

I thought the new chopper version was released 3-4 years ago?

[@captricharddee3634]

Bring back The Grifter (for adults).

[@robleary3353]

Where's the audio?...

[@turtle-gf6wv]

The chopper i had did not have the t bar shifter it was like a car knob but should make an adult one but for 950 i dont think so.

[@johnosullivan2197]

Remember them at £39 Raleigh need to do an electric Chopper XL size, For it to be an everyday use bike

[@fastone136]

i had a three speed chopper..i shined that bike like no other.except my harley.🙂

[@deemdoubleu]

Mine was yellow and I crashed it a few times but I loved it.

[@xfoolsgoldx]

I would like to see them make a modern version of Chopper that kids of today want to buy and ride.

[@peterwilliamson4296]

Do those little springs actually provide any suspension to the rider I always wonder?

[@Timemachine74]

Yes but not that effective

[@golds335]

i had a grifter but i loved the chopper.